I’m the newbie here, but I think title and location should be ok; maybe technical details too, but ambivalent.
Comments on the rarity or difficulty of the shot could well be swaying and should be in the discussion.
Ditto.
In that case the rule should simply be title and photo, location can add an exotic component. The title should relate the photo to the topic not a place.
The exception is where the the originator of the event makes the backstory part of the judging - Title, Photo, Backstory.
I like the idea of a formal title and photo as the foundation for everything. I do believe a good photo should stand on its own, possibly with the help of a thought-provoking title.
After the photo, totally optional stuff like location, technical details (e.g. lens, aperture, SS), and brief backstory.
On the one hand, I don’t like the idea of people voting on the basis of “Ooh, you got to go on vacation in Outer Bronaeica? I’ve always wanted to go there!”. On the other hand, a picture like @Bob_Blaylock 's needs some explanation just to see how it’s a “bridge”.
Plus I know for a fact that there was at least one non-contestant who voted.
Oh good! I’ve never understood why this isn’t a more popular thread. It’s one of my favorites.
I agree.
I think that stuff belongs in the discussion thread since it can lead to comments and questions. The photo thread should be cleaner for the ease of making the poll but also so you can scroll through just the photos when you are judging them.
I don’t take much convincing. Clean and lean is a compelling argument!
Put that in the discussion thread. If the theme is Bridges, and I post an obscure picture that needs an explanation as to why it’s a bridge, that right there tells you it’s a stretch for the picture to be interpreted as a bridge. Which will downgrade the choice of that particular picture.
If an explanation is needed, that’s fine but it belongs in the discussion thread. Include a link to the explanation in the picture post if you want, that’s fine too.
Let’s call this one settled.
In the monthly thread, post only a photo and a title. Any further info belongs in the rolling discussion thread.
As far as I am concerned, post whatever you’d like in the monthly thread once the poll has ended.
mmm